Two local Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers were honored last Thursday evening at the THP Trooper and Dispatcher of the Year Ceremony in Murfreesboro. There, troopers and dispatchers were recognized for their outstanding service to the State of Tennessee.
Trooper Jeremy D. S. Tramel was named Trooper of the Year for the 6th District, citing an incident that occurred last summer.
On June 5, 2016, Trooper Tramel was at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department when a call was received for a suicidal female. THP assistance was requested due to a firearm being involved.
He arrived at 12:00 midnight to find the front door of the facility open and the lights turned off. Trooper Tramel noticed the door to the female restroom was closed and the light inside on. When he approached the door, and announced himself, the female occupant told him she had a gun up her nose and would pull the trigger if he opened the door.
He began to talk with her in an attempt to gain her trust and keep her calm, while the other officers notified dispatch to send additional resources, including a negotiator. The woman stated she needed mental help and wanted to go to Massachusetts. She also requested a friend to come to the scene; however, he was in Lawrenceburg and would not arrive for two hours.
Trooper Tramel continued to converse with the woman, who requested a cigarette. He began to slide her cigarettes under the door, trading them one at a time for bullets from her weapon. A negotiator with Putnam County Sheriff’s Office arrived and determined that allowing Trooper Tramel to continue negotiations would be best since he had been doing so for nearly one and a half hours.
Three and a half hours after arriving on scene, she had just two bullets remaining, when her friend from Lawrenceburg arrived. She gave up her weapon and remained inside the door. Trooper Tramel finally got her safely out of the room, gently placed her in handcuffs, and then accompanied her to the hospital for evaluation, riding with her in the back of a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office patrol car.
THP Sergeant Dewaine Jennings was also recognized at the ceremony with a Lifesaver Award for a call he responded to last Spring.
On May, 30, 2016, at around 1:40 AM, Sergeant Jennings arrived on the scene of a boy standing on a billboard, threatening suicide. When he arrived, there were two other officers present, but none were attempting to make contact with the youth. He felt he needed to get to the teen and attempt to evaluate him and see what his needs were.
With the assistance of Trooper Al Seitner, Sgt. Jennings was eventually able to be lifted high enough to grasp a ladder on the billboard, and climb up to where the boy was located. He made contact with the teen and began conversing with him.
The boy stated that he was fed up and did not want to go on with life. Sgt. Jennings noticed blood all over the boy’s arm from self-inflicted wounds. He learned that boy was 16 years old, and began to talk with him about his hobbies and school.
Sgt. Jennings conversed with the teen for approximately one hour and ultimately convinced him to go to the hospital for evaluation. The Cookeville City Fire Department responded with a ladder truck to help them get off the billboard safely. Sgt. Jennings secured the boy with a safety belt, and moved him to the platform of the ladder truck, before securing his own safety.
At the request of the boy’s mother, Sgt. Jennings transported him to the hospital, in lieu of EMS, because he had developed a rapport with him, and exhibited great concern for his safety.

The Smithville First Assembly of God participated in the 2017 Tennessee Fine Arts Festival on March 10-11th at Trevecca University in Nashville.
Fine Arts Festival is in association with The Assemblies of God and encourages all churches throughout the world to develop their Teens and College students talents. 30 Middle and High students competed in 10 different categories. Relentless Student Ministries is under the direction of Iain & Kassy Swisher and Josh Issac. Pastor Donnie and Kathy Kelly have always been very big advocates of Developing and discovering Talents of young people throughout their ministry. These Student from DeKalb, White, Warren, and Hamilton County have been working hard since January to prepare for competition.
“This year these kids have worked harder than ever because of the sickness that hit throughout the state. We had less practices because of having to cancel many rehearsals due of sickness. ” said Josh Issac. Relentless not only represented their church but also represented Smithville throughout the competition. They came out as big winners this year”.
1st Place – Drama Ensemble Large : Acting OUT
1st Place – Drama Ensemble Small: Bad Girls of the Bible
1st Place – Stand Up Comedy – Elliott Cook
2nd Place- Musical Theater Ensemble : The Leg Breakers
Also qualifying for nationals is:
Human Video Ensemble Large: The Final Fallen
Human Video Ensemble Large: The Judas Effect
Drama Ensemble Small: Bad Boys of the Bible
Vocal Solo Male Sr: Adam Davis
“Competition this year was more elevated than ever and Relentless received scores of 39.65 out of 40 in Drama Ensemble Large and 39.25 out of 40 in Drama Ensemble small. To qualify with invitation you must receive at least a 36 out of 40. We are so proud of all this group has accomplished and many will be traveling in August to Anaheim California for Nationals. In the past Relentless received 3rd out of 97 in Drama Ensemble Large in 2015 and 4th out of 76 in Worship Dance troupe in 2013. They will be working hard all summer fundraising to get them to nationals. Thanks in advance for all who support them in this adventure and honor to represent the state of Tennessee at Nationals. If you are not attending any where else come join us at Smithville First Assembly on Cookeville Hwy Sundays at 10:45 and 6pm, women’s Bible Study Tuesday at 6PM a, Wednesdays at 7pm for all ages,” said Issac.
Relentless Students:
Allyson Whiteaker, Bella France, Brooklynn Wilson, Dasia Gurley, Gracie Starnes, Haidyn Hale, Jadyn Dawson, Justise Dawson, Kaylee Martin, Kensley Whiteaker, Kenzie France, Paxton Dawson, Hannah Culwell, Joleen Squires, Keri Winchester, Evie Day, Josh moon, Caelin Crips, Desmond Nokes, Elliott Cook, Isaac Robinson, Monte Caldwell, Nick May, Noah Martin, Omar Aldino, Tayvian Nokes, Zach Day, Adam Davis, and Evan Jones.

The new Holmes Creek Road Bridge over Fall Creek IS NOW OPEN TO TRAFFIC

Thousands of youth nationwide participated in a campaign to curb tobacco use, many events took place across the state on March 15. Students at DeKalb County High, DeKalb Middle, and DeKalb West schools recognized the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids-Kick Butts Day on March 15, 2017. The event was sponsored by DeKalb Prevention Coalition, DeKalb County Health Department, Coordinated School Health, and St. Thomas Hospital.
The schools had informational booths pertaining to the consequences of tobacco, a tobacco free pledge, and games. There were many items for giveaways, including t-shirts donated by St. Thomas hospital and water bottles, frisbees, bracelets, etc., donated by The Health Department. Participants included the DeKalb County High Wellness classes, the DeKalb Middle School SADD (Students against Destructive Decisions) club, and DeKalb West Beta club. Student participation reached almost 1500 students.

This week’s “Classroom Champion” award goes to DCHS student Jasmine Parker.
The award was presented by Smithville Attorney Jim Judkins and WJLE .
Jasmine is 16 years old and a Junior.
She is also a student at Motlow State Community College through dual enrollment while serving as a member in several organizations in high school including the Senior BETA, HOSA, Student Council, and FBLA clubs. Jasmine has been a member of the Student Council and FBLA for three years and is the FBLA concessions manager for the second consecutive year.
Math is her favorite subject and she hopes to major in Chemistry in college.
In an effort to recognize achievements of students in the DeKalb County School System, WJLE has partnered with attorney Judkins in featuring a “Classroom Champion” each week for the next several months.
The name of the student selected each week will be announced on WJLE and will be featured on the WJLE website. Each student winning will receive a plaque and a gift certificate.
“This is our way of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of the future citizens and leaders of the community. It can benefit their learning and overall school atmosphere and climate. The students’ selection is based on academic performance, responsibility and work ethic, leadership abilities, and citizenship and character,” said Judkins.

DeKalb County Farm Bureau has announced the 2017 Fourth Grade Poster Contest and Seventh Grade Essay Winners.
Pictured from left to right are Cathy Officer, Farm Bureau Women’s Chair, Addison Puckett, 1st place winner of Essay Contest – $50.00, Dare Collins, 2nd place winner of Poster Contest – $25.00, William Cox, 1st place winner of Essay Contest- $50.00, and William Southard-2nd place winner of Essay Contest – $25.00. Also, Mrs. Shelly Jennings was awarded $50.00 for the most entries from her classroom in the Poster Contest and Mrs. Debra Moore was awarded $50.00 for the most entries in the Essay Contest. The posters were based on “Farm to Fork” and the essays were titled “Why is Agriculture Important?”